“Mario’s away.”  The woman who led offered in explanation for why there were a few browning leaves that needed to be brushed to the side with her shoe. 

Tina teased, “Does he know his job’s in jeopardy?”  Knowing when Bette did something she did so with full vigor and attention. 

The brunette laughed. “No, actually.  It’s not as easy as it looks.”  Wrinkling her nose she came clean, “the water’s turned green…ish on me once or twice.”

She talked through teeth that showed with a wide smile, “Maybe more.  Too much of this, too little of that.”  Just like life, the desired sparkling blue water was a result of the right balance.  Requiring forbearance, resilience and measured actions.

“Although it relaxes me in ways…” she admitted wryly, “it’s not something I’d want to do over time.” 

Bending, she picked up a few twigs.  Looking up and to her side, the cursory investigation led to one of the three year old bushes that bordered the patio fixtures that served the setting where many outdoor parties with their friends took place. 

Taking two steps, she dropped the items of interest in a steel bucket.  She glanced at the steps that led to the house then back to the surroundings in front of her.  The place where laughter echoed.  Where voices were muffled and at times overburdened by splashing water. 

“I like having someone familiar over.”

The brunette became silent.  Looking at the water as it gently met the tiled sides of the pool, she said almost to herself, “It gets…rather quiet.”

“Have you had the girls over much?” Tina asked to catch Bette’s attention.

Looking over, the brown eyes were now behind tinted sunglasses housed by a designer frame that Tina had not seen before, “Not much.” 

“We should all get together soon.”  Tina suggested genially as she searched for Bette’s gaze.

“Yes,” the other woman agreed. “We should.”

She thought to herself, ‘The house misses activity.’  The house.  More so the lone person who lived within.  “It’s spacious and, well…”  It held memories that comforted while reminding her of what was now lost.

“You know, sometimes I forget.”

Tina looked over, her face thoughtful and perplexed.  “What?”

“I see you.”  As if hypnotized by the glistening surface of the clear water that reflected the afternoon’s rays Bette murmured without inflection as she touched the surface with her fingertips. “I see you beside me still.”